Integrated decontamination/aeration system for vehicles

ABSTRACT

An integrated duct system is utilized to admit an antimicrobial vapor into a vehicle to decontaminate the contents and surfaces of the vehicle and subsequently to remove the vapor. The ducts comprise an air conditioning and/or heating duct, a decontamination duct for admitting an antimicrobial vapor, an auxiliary circulation duct for diffusing the vapor throughout the vehicle, and an aeration duct for removing the vapor from the vehicle, as well as a catalytic converter for detoxifying the antimicrobial vapor before removal. The integrated decontamination system is suitable for the chemical or biological decontamination of vehicles, provides enhanced vapor delivery and distribution on a rapid basis and also provides for rapid aeration for removing the antimicrobial vapor.

CROSS REFERENCE

This is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/473,873, filed Jun.23, 2006 for AN INTEGRATED DECONTAMINATION/AERATION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES,which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 60/694,513. filedJun. 28, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an integrated duct system to admit and diffusean antimicrobial vapor into a vehicle in an effective and rapid manner(short cycle time) and to rapidly remove the vapor therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heretofore, decontamination of vehicles involved various methods such asvacuuming the floor of the vehicle and passing the removed air, dirt,debris, etc., through the filters so as to catch the particles and/ordetoxify the same. Another commonly used method related to washingvarious portions of the vehicle such as with a bactericide to killgerms, and the like.

Such methods were not very effective inasmuch as they did not kill ordetoxify various types of antimicrobial compounds, and that oftenvarious portions of the vehicle were simply not treated.

U.S. Publication No. 2003/0138344, published Jul. 24, 2003, relates to asystem for handling mail in the form of a modular facility, which iscapable of being isolated from the surrounding environment. The modularfacility includes an enclosure or sorting area for receiving and sortingincoming mail. A decontamination system receives sorted mail anddecontaminates the mail with an antimicrobial gas, such as ethyleneoxide. A clean room, isolated from the enclosure and spaced from theenclosure by the decontamination system, is used for receiving processedmail from the decontamination system and sorting the mail fordistribution. A source of a decontaminant gas, such as vapor hydrogenperoxide, is fluidly connected with the enclosure for supplying thedecontaminant gas to the enclosure in the event that the sorting room iscontaminated or suspected of being contaminated with a pathogenicbiological or chemical agent.

U.S. Publication No. 2004/0184950, published Sep. 23, 2004, relates towhen microbial contamination is introduced into a room of an enclosure,such as a building, an HVAC system including supply ductwork and areturn ductwork is decontaminated with hydrogen peroxide vapor. Adecontamination controller operates controllable baffles at outletregisters, temporary controllable baffles at inlet registers, and ablower system to circulate hydrogen peroxide vapor from hydrogenperoxide vapor generators through the ductwork in both forward andreverse directions. Further, at least portions of the baffles are closedto create dwell times in which the hydrogen peroxide vapor resides inthe ductwork with minimal or turbulent flow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an integrated ductsystem is provided for decontaminating a vehicle. A decontamination ductsupplies an antimicrobial vapor to the vehicle to decontaminate variousmicroorganisms within the vehicle. In order to increase the rate ofdestruction of the microorganisms, an auxiliary circulation duct isprovided which can supply quantities of a gas such as air to rapidlydiffuse the antimicrobial vapor and generate sufficient turbulence,etc., so that the vapor reaches and contacts all contents, items andsurfaces within the vehicle. In one embodiment, a catalytic converter isutilized to detoxify the microbial vapor, for example vapor hydrogenperoxide (VHP) into water and oxygen. An aeration duct is also providedto provide a gas such as air to purge the vehicle of the antimicrobialvapor and reduce the level of any remaining vapor within the vehicle toa low and safe amount.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method ofdecontaminating a vehicle is provided. Steps of the method compriseproviding the vehicle with a decontamination duct and admitting anantimicrobial vapor through the duct into the vehicle. The vehicle isalso provided with an auxiliary circulation duct for admitting a gasinto the vehicle to diffuse the antimicrobial vapor. The vehicle is alsoprovided with an aeration duct for exhausting the non-reactedantimicrobial vapor from the vehicle. A catalytic converter is alsoprovided for detoxifying the antimicrobial vapor before it is exhaustedfrom the vehicle.

An advantage of the present invention is that the entire interiorportion of the vehicle can be effectively treated with an antimicrobialvapor to decontaminate the same. Another advantage is that the vehiclecan contain an antimicrobial generator such as a vapor hydrogen peroxidegenerator. Yet another advantage is that during the decontaminationcycle, the antimicrobial vapor can be recycled through the vehicle toensure coverage of all surfaces. Still another advantage is that thevehicle can be rapidly decontaminated and aerated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The single FIGURE is a diagrammatic illustration of a vehicle showing anintegrated duct system utilized to admit an antimicrobial vapor as wellas to remove the same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The vehicles which can be treated by the integrated duct system of thepresent invention include any vehicle which can be utilized to treat apatient and include emergency medical safety (EMS) vehicles includingambulances and patient transport vehicles; various types of militaryvehicles including transportation vehicles, emergency treatmentvehicles, vehicle type hospitals, and the like; as well as various typesof aircrafts.

Referring to the drawing, vehicle 10 contains patient transport area 12and driver or cockpit area 14. The two areas are generally separated bya wall 16 which can have a door (not shown) therein to permit accessfrom one area to the other.

The integrated duct system employs a plurality of integrated ducts toachieve a rapid decontamination of the vehicle. The presence of an airconditioning/heating duct 20 is optional but desired. Such aircondition/heating duct is generally original equipment of themanufactured vehicle and the same duct network is known to the art andto the literature. The air within the vehicle such as the patienttransport area desirably has low humidity in order to enhance theefficiency of the antimicrobial vapor. Thus, the air conditioner of thevehicle is generally initially utilized to reduce the humidity.Optionally, the temperature in the patient area can be increased by theheater. The exhaust portions of the air conditioning and/or heatingducts are generally located on the dashboard in cockpit area 14, and onthe roof and/or side portions of the vehicle in patient transport area12. The air conditioning/heating system is generally operatedindependently of the remaining duct networks.

An essential component of the present invention is the existence ofdecontamination duct network 30 which supplies the antimicrobial vaporto the interior of the vehicle. As with other duct networks such asauxiliary circulating duct network 50 and aerating duct network 70, eachhas a plurality of outlets located along the length of the network fromthe initial portion thereof to the end portion thereof. With respect toeach duct network, a two-way valve is located in the vicinity of wall 16which confines the item being transported to either patient transportarea 12, or additionally to driver area 14. Each duct network cancontain only one conduit or chamber generally along the length of thevehicle, or there can be branches off of the main conduit, or amultiplicity of conduits can exist such as two or three. The conduitscan extend along the roof area of the vehicle, or the sidewalls thereof,or both.

Decontamination duct network 30 is provided or supplied with anantimicrobial vapor. An antimicrobial compound can be in the form of aliquid and can be stored in a container (not shown) within the vehicleand when needed is heated to generate a vapor. Alternatively and oftendesirably the vapor can be made by antimicrobial generator 40 alsolocated within the vehicle. Such generators are known to the art as wellas to the literature. The antimicrobial vapor which is used todecontaminate the patient area or the patient and the driver area of thevehicle comprise peroxy compounds such as peracetic acid, or preferablyhydrogen peroxide, various aldehydes such as formaldehyde vapors, vaporsof various phenols and derivatives thereof, and the like. Examples ofspecific phenols including catechol, resorcinol, and hydroquinone; alkyldihydroxybenzenes; halogen substituted phenols, such as chlorophenols,alkyl and/or aromatic substituted chlorophenols; nitrophenols,dinitrophenols, trinitrophenols, and alkyl or aromatic substitutednitrophenols; aminophenols; aromatic, alkyl aromatic, and aromatic alkylsubstituted phenols; hydroxybenzoic acids; bisphenols,bis(hydroxyphenyl) alkanes, and hydroxyquinolines such as8-hydroxyquinoline. Specific types of vapors and the amount thereof areselected with regard to the level of decontamination desired such asdisinfection, sanitization, and the like. In other words, the apparatusand process of the present invention result in a microbial log reductionof generally at least about 3, desirably at least about 4, andpreferably at least about 6. A log reduction of 6 means that one or lessmicroorganisms in 1 million remain following exposure to the vapor. Theantimicrobial vapors of the present invention are utilized to destroyvarious microorganisms including endospores, fungi, mycobacteria,vegetative bacteria, protozoa, and the like. The vapors utilized alsodeactivate or destroy other harmful microorganism-size biologicalspecies, and smaller replicating species, particularly those capable ofundergoing conformational changes, such as prions. Of the variousantimicrobial vapors which can be utilized, hydrogen peroxide ispreferred since it is environmentally friendly, and in vapor form isgenerally materially compatible in that it does not adversely affect thevarious surfaces, items, fabrics, or materials which exist in thevehicle.

The antimicrobial compound whether it is obtained from a container or agenerator 40 is generally subjected to a plurality of operations bypreconditioning unit 41 before it is admitted to decontamination ductnetwork 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the antimicrobial compoundis first fed to a dryer 42 to remove moisture and solvents, etc.,therefrom, subsequently fed to blower 43 which forces the compoundthrough preheater 45 and through a filter such as HEPA filter 47 toremove fine particles such as dust, etc., and the like. Finally,vaporizer 49 heats the antimicrobial compound to a temperature above itsboiling point. Antimicrobial generator 40 and preconditioning unit 41can be located in the vehicle as shown, or it can be located outside.

The antimicrobial vapor from preconditioning unit 41 is then fed todecontamination duct network 30 via entrance valve 31 which eitherblocks the entrance of any vapor into the duct system or permits thevapor to pass freely therethrough. Once valve 31 is opened, blower 43will push the vapor through decontamination duct 30 whereupon it willtravel along the length of the duct and be released to various outletsin patient area 12. If it is desired that the vapor be admitted todriver or cockpit area 14, two-way cockpit valve 32 is opened. Thus, theantimicrobial vapor will enter and permeate at least patient area 12 anddecontaminate the various surfaces, items, instruments, and the likecontained therein. If cockpit valve 32 is open, the vapor will alsodecontaminate the cockpit area but since an additional area isdecontaminated, a decontamination cycle time will be longer.

In order to reduce the decontamination cycle time, auxiliary circulationduct network 50 is utilized. As shown in the drawing, auxiliarycirculation duct 50 contains inlet valve 51 which allows ambient air toenter and through high capacity auxiliary blower 53 the air is fedthrough circulation network 50 and into patient area 12 and ifcirculation duct cockpit valve 55 is opened, also into cockpit area 14.The flow rate of air, or optionally but less desirable, a different gas,is much greater than that of the vapor through decontamination duct 30.Generally the ratio of the air through auxiliary circulation duct 50 tothe antimicrobial vapor is generally from about 1 to about 20 or 50times greater by volume. This high flow rate circulates and diffuses theantimicrobial vapor throughout the patient area and optionally thecockpit area and allows the vapor to enter or reach difficult areas.

In order to compensate for the additional air supplied to the vehicle,egress duct 60 allows the air and vapor to be re-circulated throughoutthe vehicle or to be exhausted to the atmosphere outside of the vehicle,or both. Accordingly, egress duct 60 contains a filter such as a HEPAfilter 62, recirculation valve 64, and catalytic converter 66. In aclosed loop configuration, two-way valve 64 will allow the air and vaporto be recirculated through lines 68 to preconditioning unit 41 whichwill draw the air, reheat the same, vaporize it and optionallyadditional liquid sterilant and blow the same into decontamination duct30. If essentially all of the recirculation air and vapor are recycled,auxiliary circulation duct 50 can be closed through inlet valve 51.Alternatively, a portion of the recirculation air and vapor is recycledwith the remainder being fed to catalytic converter 66 which detoxifiesthe antimicrobial vapor before it is released to the Earth's atmosphere.Thus, when the vapor and recirculation air is partially recycled, theamount of additional recirculation air admitted through auxiliarycirculation duct 50 is generally equal to that released throughcatalytic converter 66. In an open loop configuration wherein generallyall of the air within the patient area and optionally the cockpit areais vented to the atmosphere through egress ducts 60, recirculation valve64 is in the open position so the vapor is detoxified by catalyticconverter 66.

The decontamination cycle is allowed to continue for a predeterminedamount of time calculated to effectively destroy or deactivate themicroorganisms thought or expected to be present. After such time,decontamination duct valve 31 is closed. If auxiliary circulation inletvalve 51 is open, it too is closed and auxiliary blower 52 turned off.

In order to purge the remaining antimicrobial vapor not utilized indeactivating or destroying the various microorganisms, aeration ductnetwork 70 is utilized. As shown in FIG. 1, the aeration duct networkhas inlet valve 72 which admits air from outside of the vehicle andblower 74 forces the air through aeration duct network 70 to purge theantimicrobial vapor from patient area 12 of the vehicle, and ifnecessary through open cockpit valve 76 also from cockpit area 14. Thepurged vapor is forced through egress duct 60 through the filter, andsince recycle valve 64 is closed, through catalytic converter 66 wherebyit is detoxified. Catalytic converters are known to the art and to theliterature and in the case of the antimicrobial vapor being hydrogenperoxide, the same is converted into water and oxygen. The aeration ductnetwork is operated until the vapor level in the vehicle is determinedto be below a safe level such as 1 part per million as measured withvaporous hydrogen peroxide, etc., with real time concentration sensors.Optionally, incoming aeration air can be heated to further optimizeaeration of the antimicrobial vapor.

The above integrated duct system can be further modified to provide aquick, and efficient decontamination cycle as by utilizing various fansthroughout the enclosed area(s) to efficiently diffuse the vapor intoall areas, as well as through the utilization of materials which do notreadily absorb microorganisms such as foam seat cushions, insulation,and the like.

Other aspects of the invention include the utilization of variousdevices to automate the various cycles such as the amount ofantimicrobial vapor being admitted to the vehicle, the time andtemperature of the decontamination cycle, the time of the auxiliarycirculating cycle, the time and temperature of the aeration cycle, andthe like. For example, a remote hydrogen peroxide sensor can existwithin the vehicle to determine the concentration of the vapor whichthrough an integrated feedback system is fed to a location or stationoutside the vehicle. Accordingly, an operator can control the vaporconcentration either before or after circulating duct network 50 hasbeen utilized, or both. Similarly, upon initiation of the aerationsystem the operator can determine from a safe location that theconcentration of the vapor within the vehicle has dropped to a safe andlow level.

While in accordance with the patent statutes, the best mode andpreferred embodiment have been set forth, the scope of the invention isnot limited thereto, but rather by the scope of the attached claims.

1. An integrated duct system for decontaminating a vehicle; comprising:an antimicrobial vapor generator; a plurality of ducts located withinsaid vehicle, said plurality of ducts comprising: a decontamination ductfor supplying an antimicrobial vapor into said vehicle; an auxiliarycirculation duct for adding air into said vehicle that contains saidantimicrobial vapor; an aeration duct for admitting air into saidvehicle and removing said antimicrobial vapor and said air from saidvehicle; said decontamination duct, said auxiliary circulation duct, andsaid aeration duct, each being located inside the interior of saidvehicle and wherein said plurality of ducts are separated from eachother; and a catalytic converter for detoxifying said antimicrobialvapor.
 2. An integrated duct system for decontaminating a vehicleaccording to claim 1, including an auxiliary blower capable of feedingair into said circulation duct; and including an aerator blower capableof feeding air into said aeration duct.
 3. An integrated duct system fordecontaminating a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein saidantimicrobial vapor is a peroxy compound, an aldehyde, or a phenol or aderivative thereof, or any combination thereof; and including an egressduct capable of exhausting said air and said vapor from said vehicle. 4.An integrated duct system for decontaminating a vehicle according toclaim 3, wherein said antimicrobial generator is located within saidvehicle.
 5. An integrated duct system for decontaminating a vehicleaccording to claim 3, wherein said antimicrobial vapor compriseshydrogen peroxide; wherein said egress duct is separately connected tosaid catalytic converter and separately connected to a recirculationline, said egress duct capable of exhausting at least a portion of saidair and said hydrogen peroxide vapor to said catalytic converter orcapable of exhausting at least a portion of said air and said hydrogenperoxide vapor to said recirculation line, or both.
 6. An integratedduct system for decontaminating a vehicle according to claim 1, whereinsaid vapor is capable of a decontamination log reduction of at least 3.7. An integrated duct system for decontaminating a vehicle according toclaim 4, wherein said vapor is capable of a decontamination logreduction of at least
 4. 8. An integrated duct system fordecontaminating a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein said vapor iscapable of a decontamination log reduction of at least
 6. 9. Anintegrated duct system for decontaminating a vehicle; comprising: anantimicrobial generator for generating an antimicrobial vapor, aplurality of ducts located within said vehicle, said plurality of ductscomprising: a decontamination duct for supplying said antimicrobialvapor into said vehicle; an auxiliary circulation duct for adding airinto said vehicle that contains said antimicrobial vapor; an aerationduct for admitting air into said vehicle and removing said antimicrobialvapor and said air from said vehicle; said decontamination duct, saidauxiliary circulation duct, and said aeration duct, each being locatedinside the interior of said vehicle and wherein said plurality of ductsare separated from each other; and an egress duct capable of exhaustingsaid air and said vapor from said vehicle.
 10. An integrated duct systemfor decontaminating a vehicle according to claim 9, wherein said egressduct is separately connected to a catalytic converter and separatelyconnected to a recirculation line, said egress duct capable ofexhausting at least a portion of said air and said antimicrobial vaporto said catalytic converter or capable of exhausting at least a portionof said air and said antimicrobial vapor to said recirculation line, orboth.
 11. An integrated duct system for decontaminating a vehicleaccording to claim 10, wherein said antimicrobial vapor is a peroxidecompound, an aldehyde, or a phenol or a derivative thereof, or anycombination thereof.
 12. An integrated duct system for decontaminating avehicle according to claim 11, including an auxiliary blower capable offeeding air into said circulation duct; including an aeration blowercapable of feeding air into said aeration duct; and wherein saidantimicrobial vapor comprises hydrogen peroxide.
 13. An integrated ductsystem for decontaminating a vehicle according to claim 9, wherein saidvapor is capable of a decontamination log reduction of at least
 3. 14.An integrated duct system for decontaminating a vehicle according toclaim 10, wherein said vapor is capable of a decontamination logreduction of at least
 4. 15. An integrated duct system fordecontaminating a vehicle according to claim 12, wherein said hydrogenperoxide vapor is capable of a decontamination log reduction of at least6.
 16. An integrated duct system for decontaminating a vehicle;comprising: an antimicrobial vapor generator; a plurality of ductslocated within said vehicle, said plurality of ducts comprising: adecontamination duct capable of supplying an antimicrobial vapor intosaid vehicle; an auxiliary circulation duct capable of adding air intosaid vehicle that contains said antimicrobial vapor; an aeration ductcapable of admitting air into said vehicle and removing saidantimicrobial vapor from said vehicle; said decontamination duct, saidauxiliary circulation duct, and said aeration duct, each being locatedinside the interior of said vehicle and wherein said plurality of ductsare separated from each other; and including an egress duct capable ofexhausting said air and said vapor from said vehicle, wherein saidegress duct is separately connected to said catalytic converter andseparately connected to a recirculation line, said egress duct capableof exhausting at least a portion of said air and said hydrogen peroxidevapor to said catalytic converter or capable of exhausting at least aportion of said air and said hydrogen peroxide vapor to saidrecirculation line, or both.
 17. The integrated duct system fordecontaminating a vehicle according to claim 16, wherein saidantimicrobial generator is located within said vehicle.
 18. Theintegrated duct system for decontaminating a vehicle according to claim17, wherein said antimicrobial vapor is a peroxy compound, an aldehyde,or a phenol or a derivative thereof, or any combination thereof.
 19. Theintegrated duct system for decontaminating a vehicle according to claim16, wherein said vapor is capable of a decontamination log reduction ofat least
 3. 20. The integrated duct system for decontaminating a vehicleaccording to claim 18, wherein said vapor is capable of adecontamination log reduction of at least 6.